9/13/2015 Grizzly Bear Complex Update

Elgin, Ore. – In spite of dry, hot weather on Saturday, crews kept the fire from gaining any acreage outside the fire perimeter.  While some of the emphasis has been on rehabilitation of control fire lines, suppression remains our number one priority.   The fire is slowly gaining some ground in the wilderness.

Two major areas of emphasis are the Bear Ridge Fire, which still has active fire in it, and the Slick Ear area, which is being patrolled by engines to ensure the safety of the structures in that area.

Crews and equipment are changing location around the fire’s perimeter.  This will facilitate continued suppression and line rehabilitation where needed.  The Incident Command Post is relocating to Dayton, Washington to be closer to the active side of the fire.

Weather conditions today include an increase in wind from the west. Crews will be watching for spotting outside the fire line and fire movement.  East-west drainages are especially susceptible to a westerly wind pushing fire. Temperatures should cool a bit by the end of the day, but humidities will remain low.

The public is reminded that the fire footprint and adjacent areas are closed to entry.  This is a safety issue based on potential fire behavior and suppression work of equipment and crews on the fire.  Forest Roads 64, 6415, 62 and potions of the 46 and 4608 roads are all closed.  The Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness and some adjacent non-wilderness lands that have been directly impacted by fire will remain closed to access.  This non-wilderness area is roughly the area from Big Hole to Eden Bench. See the websites listed below for maps of the most up-to-date area and road closures.

A current closure description and map of closed roads is available at all Umatilla National Forest offices as well as on the Umatilla National Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/ in addition to the “closures” tab located at the http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4511/#.